Protest: Timing Wrong, May Be Hijacked, Warns Uzodimma

Protest: Timing Wrong, May Be Hijacked, Warns Uzodimma. The Executive Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has warned Nigerians that the timing of the protest is wrong and maybe hijacked by the enemies of Democracy. 

On Wednesday, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State warned against August’s planned protest.

He noted that it might be hijacked by hoodlums, as the country experienced during the ENDSARS protest because the timing is not right.

This warning came after a brief meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and other dignitaries, such as former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru.

Governor Hope Uzodimma Addressed The Media

Highlighting the basic features of democracy and the privileges enjoyed by the citizenry, Uzodimma said, “Democracy is about the opinion of the people, and protest is allowed in a democratic setting. Every protest must be reasonably conceived to make political sense.

“I think it’s too early at this time in the life of this government for anybody to come out to say he wants to protest. First of all, there have not been any engagements where those who are sponsoring the protest were able to tell us the reasons for the protests.”

“Secondly, given the global situation today and the insecurity in the country, we have a very fragile political environment that, if not managed and protected very well, may collapse the entire country.

Questioning the motives of those behind the protests, he further stated that it is ulterior and inappropriate for individuals under any guise to take to the streets to protest at this moment.

“So those who are going to protest, what is the reason for the protests? And if they have no reason for the protests, I think I’ll advise well-meaning Nigerians, citizens of this country who are making sacrifices. Some of us have paid the supreme price for the existence of this country. We should guide our country very jealously.

“I think it is wrong time for anybody to do any protests, because the implication of doing that, if care is not taken, is that it may be hijacked. Like the ENDSARS experience, criminals now hijacked an innocently conceived agitation by young Nigerians.

“So this is another kind of temptation that I think those behind the protests have not been able to come out openly to say they’re behind it.”

In another press release, the Governor continued by saying it is unclear and unintelligible what those behind the 10-day (August 1st to 10th) staged protest really want. He then continued by urging Nigerians to jettison the planned protest, which, he said, may further destabilize the country, rather than cooperate with the President by giving him more time.

This entreaty came after the closed-door meeting with other Governors on Wednesday in Abuja. The governor noted that it is not advisable for the country to experience any demonstration at a moment when the economy is struggling to breathe.

Uzodimma alleged that some self-seeking elements, yet to be identified, are sponsoring and fuelling the protest. He added, “We don’t know what they are protesting for.”

“We think it is not wise at this moment for any demonstration by any group of persons, be it in whatever guise. This is so that we can manage the challenges of insecurity, national minimum wage, food security, and the struggle to come out of the current economic recession. We are using this opportunity also to advise our young boys and girls to desist from being instigated into causing crisis or chaos in the country.

“Already, Nigerians have suffered a lot: the global economic recession, the insecurity in Nigeria, the political tension occasioned by instigations and campaigns of calumny by opposition parties, the social media attacks on various government policies. We want to advise for the interest of the country, and as a show of patriotism, our citizens must take ownership of this country because we have no other country we can call our own outside Nigeria.”

https://www.pulse.ng/news/gov-uzodimma-condemns-planned-protest-against-tinubus-govt/pmkj41d

The Armed Forces Are Alert And Ready To Quell Any Condiment Of Anarchy

Reacting to the situation, the Nigerian Army, in a media chat with the Director of Defense Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba (Rtd), assured the country’s safety and continued existence and vowed to quell any vicarious tendencies capable of destabilizing the nation.

He said, “I will say that this briefing will be incomplete without saying a word on the much talked about nationwide (protest). Essentially, I will say that there are several factors to examine in the planned nationwide protest.”

“It is good to examine the motivation behind the protest. Is this protest motivated by opposition politics, independent parties, sovereign interference, or terrorist groups?”, He said.

“Also, is this protest motivated by any number of organizations that have fed on the frustrations of Nigerians to create this situation?” Asked the Major General

Highlighting the military’s role in safeguarding the country’s activities, He stressed further by saying: “I will say that for us in the Military, the Constitution is clear as to how and when the Military gets involved and our responsibility to the Nation. On the other hand, I will further say that while citizens have a right to peaceful protest, they do not have a right to mobilize for anarchy and unleash terror.

It is easy to see that the contemporary context of the planned protest is to shadow the happenings in Kenya, which I must say is violent and adds that it remains unresolved.”

“Already, we have detected some unscrupulous elements bent on hijacking the planned protest and making it violent, and many are, therefore, following in ignorance. 

For instance, there are indications that if you possess a smartphone, a car, a shop, a house, or even air conditioning in your home, you have been labelled a target.

Other targets that have been added include places of worship, businesses, markets, ethnic groups, and members of different political parties, amongst other items and areas targeted.

Accordingly, the level of violence envisaged can only be described as a state of anarchy. The Armed Forces, on its part, will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall our nation. 

This is because we have seen wars and witnessed anarchy in countries where we have operated, particularly during ECOMOG or during our peacekeeping missions in various countries.

Some people may fantasize about war or a state of anarchy, thinking that it is like what they see in movies. I assure you that war or anarchy is not what you see in movies. It involves real people, real situations, and real life.

“A situation of anarchy or war should not be fantasized about. People lose loved ones and everything they toiled for or possessed in times of war or anarchy, and I will put it simply by saying that horrible and ugly things happen in those situations. We must never, as a people, bring it up on ourselves. 

Overall, the country’s timing and present atmosphere of hardship differs from other times when protests were held.

“It must also be said that if you ignite the fire, there is no telling how far it will burn. We must allow cool heads to reign and allow the Government to remedy the situation further and make our nation flourish again,” He concluded.